CHEESE EXPORTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2287, 22 October 1914, Page 8

CHEESE EXPORTS

NEED FOR COLD STORAGE HARBOUR, BOARD DISCUSSION. _ The question of the erection in Wellington of a cold store for clieeso camo before tho Harbour' Board again last levelling ,when a letter.was received from 'tho' Secretary for Agriculture' (Mr.' F. Pope). This letter was a'reply to ono forwarded to the Department by tho board last month, stating that it had considered the question of providing refrigerating space for cheese, but that, owing to tihe very largo amount of capital involved and the heavy' annual charges, the board considered that it would not be justified in extending the accommodation and facilities already provided without some assurance of an adequate financial return. It was estimated that a charge of at least Bs. 'per ton would have to be levied, and in order to obtain sufficient revenue .to cover working and standing charges a tonnago of at least 20,000 tons per annum must pass through tie stores.

Mr. Pope's ' letter in reply etated "that shippers, of cheese generally are desirous of cool stores being established, and a resolution was passed at the last. Palmerston North Winter Show strongly supporting the proposal. There is no doubt, I think, as to the'cheese being sent to tho store provided the charges are reasonable. In this connection, however, it lias been represented that the Bs. per ton proposed by your board is Higher than the chargo made at other ports,'and there is likely to be sonio demur k> paying this rate. Some of tho factories would, I think, •be unwilling to us© the store if such.a charge were made. The Department has been a strong advocate of cold storage for cheese and would be sorry to seea deadlock arise. It is suggested that if an ■ informal conference were held between representatives of the board and the factories interested some solution might be arrived at." The chairman, in criticisinK the letter, said that it was'.'"evasive," and gave no guarantee at all that the cheese would go through tho store if it', were erected by the board. Ho would suggest that nothing further be done with- the matter until the Department guaranteed some return to the board. -.■•,-•

Mr. Cohen: How could the Government give ft guarantee ? The chairman: The Government can do anything. Mr. H. L. Nathan: The Government can make regulations forcing producers to ,put their clieew through the store. Mr. Daniell said that ie liked the idea of the conference, and thought it would help to a -solution of the matter.

Mr. Cqlien also favoured the conference proposal. The chairman said that if a- guarantee could be obtained that all the cheese tvould go through the store, the matter would be an entirely different one. Ho had no objection to the conference, if they could get some financial return. The board was always prepared to do what it could to help the producers of the country, but it had too often been made a milch cow in tho past in these matters, and 'had been left to shoulder the cost. Mr. J. G. Harkness thought that the chairman had misinterpreted the letter from Mr. Pone, and strongly urged that the board should agree to the proposed conference. He was of tho opinion that mombors would , find the producers quite reasonable in the matter of charges', and it would be bettor .to get them to go willingly with the board than to force them. Finally, on the motion of Mr. Danipll, seconded by Mr. Cobb. it was decided that the members of the board meet the producers and the montin conference with' regard to the erection of a cold store for cheese.